Poodle’s Fiery Scare: Candle Blaze Days Before Crufts

Poodle’s Fiery Fiasco: A Close Call Before Crufts

A dramatic incident unfolded in an Ayrshire, Scotland home, where a 14-month-old show poodle named Phillip narrowly avoided serious injury after a close encounter with a lit candle. The unexpected event, captured on a living room camera, occurred just days before the prestigious Crufts dog show, adding a layer of anxiety for his owner, Nakita O’Hare Wilson, 35.

The footage shows Phillip, a Toy Poodle, perched on the coffee table, his curiosity piqued by the prospect of finding a tasty morsel. Unbekled to him, a lit candle stood perilously close. While Nakita’s husband, Kenneth, 38, was engrossed in television nearby, Phillip’s exploration led his head to brush against the flame.

The consequence was instantaneous: Phillip’s fur on his right ear ignited, prompting an immediate and panicked reaction from Kenneth. Shouts of “fire” and exclamations of disbelief filled the room as he rushed to pat out the flames on his beloved pet. The incident, which took place on March 4, 2025, left Phillip singed and confused, with Nakita entering the room to witness the aftermath.

A Lucky Escape and a Remarkable Performance

The timing of this fiery mishap could not have been worse. Phillip was scheduled to compete in the Toy Poodle Good Citizen category at Crufts the very next weekend. Nakita had invested significant time and money into his preparation, spending £100 every three weeks on grooming sessions for Phillip since January, including one just three days prior to the candle incident.

Despite the near-disaster and the singed state of his ear, Phillip’s resilience shone through. After a quick touch-up at the groomers the following day, he was deemed ready for the show. To Nakita’s immense relief and pride, Phillip not only competed but also secured a commendable second place in his category, with only a few slightly shorter hairs on his ear as a testament to his ordeal.

From Panic to Pride: The Owner’s Account

Nakita, a seasoned dog breeder, described the experience as “scary” in retrospect but expressed overwhelming relief that Phillip was not seriously harmed. She explained Phillip’s motivation: “He was sniffing the table to try and see if there was anything he could eat. And as he pounced on the side of his hair, just above his ear caught on fire.”

She recounted the immediate chaos: “Kenneth completely panicked and by the time I came in, it was hard to tell what happened. But I think the smell of burning and my husband’s reaction gave me a hint that it was not good. In hindsight, it was obvious actually!”

The incident, while a “first” in her household, occurred amidst the usual lively environment of her home, which houses ten other dogs, including an Italian greyhound and nine miniature dachshunds that she breeds. This particular mishap, however, stood out due to its unfortunate timing.

The Importance of Vigilance

The close call served as a stark reminder for Nakita, who has since taken precautions. “The candle has been moved to the side table now and I have not lit one since,” she stated. Her message to other pet owners is one of caution: “No matter how well trained or behaved your dog is, you can’t be too careful. So don’t leave lit candles in easy to reach places for yours pets!”

The grooming sessions, which had been meticulously scheduled, ensured that Phillip looked his best for Crufts. “We just had Phillip groomed so it was really just our luck!” Nakita exclaimed. “Thankfully, he only suffered a few singed hairs. We took him back to the groomers on the Friday – and they did such a good job. You couldn’t really tell anything had happened.”

Her pride in Phillip’s performance at Crufts is evident. “I’m a proud dog mum,” she beamed. “But I’m aware that Phillip had a lucky escape.” The incident, though frightening, ultimately highlighted the importance of constant vigilance when it comes to the safety of our furry companions.